Nissan Frontier Brake Rotors

Common Reasons behind Nissan Frontier Brake Rotors Defects

Built to provide an efficient braking system, the brake rotors are engineered to meet optimum standards and to attain longer durability for the Nissan Frontier pickup truck. However, with constant use comes a greater risk of early wear and tear. This can soon result to several braking issues that may compromise your safety. If you think your stock brake rotors are already worn out, you had better jack up your vehicle and perform some troubleshooting. Listed below are some of the symptoms of Nissan frontier brake rotor problems and the reasons behind them:

Warped brake rotors

Signs and symptoms of brake rotors that have exceeded their lifespan can easily be detected by doing a visual inspection. Faulty brake rotors can become warped because of excessive use, which causes inefficient heat dissipation. In addition to visual inspection, pulsation when pressing the brake pedal is also a signal for warped brake rotors. You see, when left unmaintained, these rotors can also cause steering issues. So, if you find any of these warping signs, find a brake rotor replacement right away.

Thinning brake rotors

Even if the pickup truck's brake rotors are properly maintained, these parts are still prone to thinning after years of continued use. And since the brake rotors are always in contact with the calipers, friction causes the parts to thin. You can use a micrometer to measure the brake rotors' thickness. Luckily, several auto supply stores provide these diagnostic devices.

Brake fluid contamination

Another reason behind brake rotor problems can be attributed to brake fluid contamination. You see, when rust or other elements mix with the brake fluid, it could leak into the discs and rotors. When this happens, friction is greatly reduced and braking power is diminished. So if you find that your car's stopping distance is a bit farther than usual, then there is a good chance that a contaminated brake fluid is impairing the brake system.

Other troubleshooting tips

The easiest and fastest way to detect faulty brake rotors on the Nissan Frontier is by test driving. When applying the brakes on a car with defective brake rotors, you should feel a vibration or a shake. This should signal you to look for a replacement immediately.

Nissan Frontier Brake Rotors Available Years

Just because you are experiencing common faulty brake symptoms doesn't already mean that the rotors need replacing. Sometimes, you have to figure out a new approach to fixing this, and one way to fix a brake rotor is to refinish it. Also known as "resurfacing" or "turning," refinishing smoothes out the rotor for it to provide better braking performance. Below are some things you can do to correct or prevent your Nissan Frontier brake rotors from getting faulty.

Replacing vs. refinishing

Before you take out your tools to polish your rotor, you should first examine the component if it's still worth servicing or if it already needs replacing. If the brake rotor is warped, cracked, or covered in rust, then you cannot refinish it.

How rotor smoothness affects braking performance

Your brake rotor should be smooth enough that it won't cause brake pads to make noise or get stuck. Part of the rotor's wear is to obtain grooves on its surface. If the rotor is too rough, only the peaks between the grooves can make direct contact with the pads, which will also wear out the pads easily.

If you can feel these grooves with your fingernails, then the component is too rough. You can also try to write on the rotor with a ballpen--if the ink breaks up into dots, then the rotor is too rough. Most high-quality OEM and aftermarket rotors have a finish somewhere between 30 and 60 microinches RA (or Roughness Average). To achieve--or even exceed--this standard, smoothen the component on a bench lathe at a spindle speed of 100 to 150 rpm with a crossfeed rate of .002- to .005-inch per revolution.

When to resurface the brake rotors

Many repair shops resurface the brake rotors whenever the brake pads are replaced in order to keep customers from returning and complaining about the poor service. However, General Motors sent a technical memo to its dealers and gave its own resurfacing guidelines. According to the bulletin, rotors should only be turned when it meets at least one of the following conditions: